Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Video Purports to Show COGIC Leader Using Homophobic Slurs

While Memphis leaders celebrate the return of the Church of God in Christ's (COGIC) annual convention to Memphis, a video has surfaced that purports to show a church leader using homophobic slurs during the most recent convention.

COGIC leaders voted during the latest convocation this week in St. Louis to move the annual convention back to Memphis in 2021. Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said since 2016 his team and Memphis Tourism "has worked hard and made it a priority" to bring the convention back here.

Since taking office in 2016, my team, working alongside Memphis Tourism, has worked hard and made it a priority to bring the COGIC convocation back to the @CityOfMemphis. Let me be the first to say welcome home!

Back to the man, she says, "hey, stay away from around them sissies, okay? Let God save them. God has chosen you. And they know it. That’s why the devil in hell is going to destroy you. In the name of Jesus, I curse this spirit."

COGIC public relations executive director Robert Coleman would not confirm any of the details of the video, whether it shows Kelly, or if the sermon was delivered at the most-recent COGIC convocation. When asked if he'd like a link to the video, Coleman said there was "no need" and said he had no comment on it.

Welcome home COGIC. Thanks mayor for your Leadership and commitment to bring them back home!!

The video does, at least, feature Kelly, who was once listed as the church's National Director of Intercessory Prayer Ministry. Kelly was also a pioneer in Memphis television as the first woman to host a talk show here in the 1970s on WREG.

Many don’t realize the problems and woes that lead @COGICisLIVE to leave Memphis. Let’s hope those issues are being dealt with by the City, County and COGIC. I applaud @CityofMemphis for this and the economic advancement that is paving the way for this Convention to come back.